*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Gently cooking chopped cabbage in a bit of butter and salt creates a tender, richly flavored side dish perfect to serve with roasted meats of all kinds. Plus, it couldn't be easier. It's one of those the-sum-is-greater-than-its-parts dishes, for sure. The loose, gently curly leaves of savoy cabbage are particularly perfect for this dish, but regular green cabbage works too. Properly stored, raw cabbage keeps for weeks in the refrigerator, making it a great choice for stocking up when you're planning ahead.

This flexible side dish goes with a huge range of main dishes: roast chicken, grilled steak, broiled fish, rice, and beans—the list is practically endless.

Ingredients

1 small head savoy cabbage (or green cabbage)

3 tablespoons butter

Fine sea salt (to taste)

3 to 5 tablespoons water

Steps to Make It

Gather the ingredients.

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Remove and discard any beat-up, wilted, or browning leaves from the exterior of the cabbage. Cut the cabbage into quarters, cutting out the thick, solid core at the center. You can either discard the core or thinly slice it and include it in the mix.

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Chop the cabbage into roughly bite-size pieces (no need to fret over getting the pieces even).

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Melt the butter in a large saucepan or sauté pan over medium-high heat.

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Once the butter stops foaming, add the cabbage, sprinkle it with salt, and add 3 tablespoons of water, stirring to combine.

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Cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring the cabbage now and again as needed until the cabbage absorbs all of the liquid, about 20 minutes.

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Test the cabbage for tenderness; if necessary, add another 2 tablespoons of water and continue cooking, with the pan covered, adding a tablespoon of water at a time until the cabbage softens to your liking.

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Season the cabbage to taste with additional salt, if you wish, and serve it hot or warm.

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Enjoy!

Variations

Add extra flavor by using chicken stock, white wine, or sherry vinegar instead of water as the braising liquid.

Stir 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of your favorite spice mix into the melted butter before you add the cabbage. Ras el hanout, garam masala, and even curry powder are good options for interesting and unexpected flavor.

Sprinkle in some fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme right at the end. The French mix of herbes de Provence or fines herbes both make a good choice. Rosemary tastes lovely, too, but start with just a little, finely chopped, since its stronger flavor can easily overwhelm this more delicately flavored dish.

Grate some hard cheese, such as Parmesan or aged Gouda, onto the hot cabbage just before serving.

Chop some flat leaf parsley and fresh chives to sprinkle over the cabbage.